Many people that have never utilized strength training have a fear of this type of exercise, and many of these fears are just myths that have been passed down through the years. Women tend to worry about getting too big or usually underestimate their capabilities while men will rarely admit to not knowing how to properly strength train, because society says they should because they are men! The truth is, performing strength training exercises correctly has a number of benefits for both genders when done correctly.
You may be surprised at the numerous reasons you should add strength training to your fitness routine — whether you’re an athlete or not. And remember, strength training doesn’t automatically correlate to getting huge. It means building a healthier body.
Look great and feel great. Did you know that strength training burns calories more efficiently than a cardiovascular
workout? For those looking to burn fat, strength training is a great place to begin. Cutting a new body shape not only gives your body more energy, but it elevates your level of endorphins, or “happy chemicals” released in your brain. Plus, your new look may also increase your self esteem.
Sleep better. The Center for Disease Control explains that those who perform regular strength workouts not only fall asleep quicker, but experience a more restful, deeper slumber.
Target your workout. One of the wonderful things about strength workouts is that you can target any muscle group you like. Glutes, back, biceps, you name it — you can isolate any muscle with a selective workout.
Cardiovascular benefits. You don’t need to kill yourself running forever on the treadmill to work your heart. Doing various strength exercises not only builds muscle, but it improves your most important muscle, your heart.
Slows the aging process. This is true according to research from Duke University. Strength training not only maintains muscle mass that naturally diminishes with aging, but it increases our metabolism, which normally declines with age.
You get stronger. Yes, this is an obvious statement, but it is important to recognize the importance of becoming stronger. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, building muscle strength makes you more resistant to injury, and building bone strength makes you more resistant to developing osteoporosis.
Body weight management. By maintaining consistent strength workouts, you maintain your body weight and will dramatically reduce your risk of becoming obese or getting diabetes. Not to mention, your life and health insurance premiums could be reduced. To safely include strength training in to your routine, hiring a personal trainer is a great place to start. They will insure that you understand how to perform each exercise correctly and in the correct sequence to minimize the chance of injury, assist you in becoming efficient with your workout and assisting you in achieving the results you desire. Remember, strength training isn’t just for athletes — it’s for everyone!
Douthitt is general manager of Mission Fitness. He can be reached at 640-6400. For more on Mission Fitness visit: www.missionfitnessnow.com[1] .
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